Origin of the culpeo fox
As we told you in the introduction, the culpeo fox is a type of fox native to western South America, whose The population is distributed along the Andes Mountains, from Ecuador to the extreme south of the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. It is the second largest canid that lives in this region, not only surpassing the maned wolf (better known as the "maned wolf").
The first individual of this species, which would later become known as the common culpeo fox, was described for the first time in 1782 by Molina. But right now, the researcher describes this new species under the scientific name Canis culpaeus. Several years later, the culpeo fox is transferred to the genus Lycalopex, in which the so-called "false foxes" of the New World are classified. Likewise, the synonymy Pseudalopex culpaeus is still accepted, which has been quite common until the beginning of the 21st century.
Currently, the following six are recognized Culpeo fox subspecies:
- Achaleño red fox (Lycalopex culpaeus smithersi)
- Altiplanic red fox (Lycalopex culpaeus andinus)
- Common Red Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus culpaeus)
- Ecuadorian red fox (Lycalopex culpaeus reissii)
- Fueguino red fox (Lycalopex culpaeus lycoides)
- Patagonian red fox (Lycalopex culpaeus magellanicus)
Physical characteristics of the culpeo fox
Compared to New World foxes, this is a relatively large fox, whose body can measure between 60 and 103 centimeters, with a tail 30 to 53 centimeters long. The average body weight of these canids usually varies between 5 and 9 kilos, the males being noticeably more robust than the females. It is also important to mention that the Fuegian culpeo foxes, which inhabit the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego shared between Argentina and Chile, are usually much larger and more muscular. In fact, these individuals can weigh up to 14 kilos, notably surpassing the other subspecies in size and robustness.
Its fur is relatively long and dense, becoming especially thick during the winter. In its body, white or yellowish tones predominate, which are mixed with black in the region of the back. In turn, the ears, legs and head show an intense reddish color Its tail has even thicker fur, on which we see many greyish hairs with a black spot at the base and another at the tip. However, the culpeo achaleño fox has a completely reddish coat, which combines some black dots with a variety of shades of red on its body.
Eventually, "bayo" culpeo foxes can be found, whose fur is completely yellowish or slightly brown, lacking grayish or black hairs in its outer layer. It is assumed that this characteristic derives from a genetic mutation that would also cause the fox's tail to be thinner and its appearance to look slimmer.
Behavior of the culpeo fox
The culpeo fox maintains mostly nocturnal habits, going out to hunt and feed during the cold nights of the Andean regions, mainly when it lives near of areas inhabited by humans. However, when they live in more preserved and isolated areas of urbanized centers, they are also active in the twilight hours
Generally, they are solitary animals that build their shelters inside hollow logs or in caves. In their natural habitat, it is very rare that they overlap their territory, even with individuals of the opposite sex, usually moving in a maximum radius of 10km2.
Regarding their diet and hunting techniques, culpeo foxes are opportunistic carnivores Their main prey are small or medium-sized mammals, such as hares, rabbits and other rodents. Eventually, they can also catch birds, reptiles, eggs, and consume some fruits and nuts to supplement their nutrition. In addition, thanks to their privileged size, the Fuegian culpeo foxes can also hunt larger animals, such as guanacos. In times of food scarcity, mainly during the winter, the culpeo fox can also feed on carrion left by other predators, such as pumas.
Reproduction of the culpeo fox
During the last weeks of winter, male culpeo foxes begin to emit their characteristic call to attract females. The breeding season usually begins in August and lasts until the end of October. Culpeo foxes are usually monogamous animals and faithful to their mate, with whom they will hunt and stay together for almost six months to raise and protect their cubs.
Like all canids, culpeo foxes are viviparous animals, that is, fertilization and development of the offspring take place inside the womb. After mating, females will experience a gestation period of 55 to 60 days, at the end of which they will give birth to a litter of 3 to 8 pups in the shelter they share and protect together with the male.
The males actively participate in raising the young and are also responsible for bringing food to keep the female and her cubs well nourished and safe. From their third month of life, the cubs begin to learn hunting techniques with their parents, with whom they will live together until their 9 or 10 months of lifeGenerally, they reach their sexual maturity after completing their first year of life, when they will be ready to find their mate.
Conservation status of the culpeo fox
Currently, the culpeo fox is classified as a species of "least concern",according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Although its population is still abundant (especially in the Patagonian region), it has experienced a significant reduction in recent decades.
Therefore, it is possible to find different states of conservation depending on the country or region where we are. For example, in Bolivia, it is considered a threatened animal, while in Argentina, it is a potentially vulnerable species, and in Chile, it is considered that there is insufficient data on its population.
Culpeo foxes do not have many natural predators other than the puma. But they have been intensely hunted in their territory for more than two centuries, and their habitat has progressively diminished thanks to the advance of urban centers and human economic activities. It is expected that with the expansion of the National Parks in the Andean countries, their population will achieve greater stability.
